Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce measures to require growers and farmers to keep records of pesticides used on crops.

Ross Finnie: The Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Holdings , (the Green Code ), currently recommends that users of pesticides keep records of all operations involving the application of pesticides. The code is currently being revised and we are considering linking a requirement on farmers and growers to keep pesticide records as part of that revision.

Agriculture

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce measures to require growers and farmers to make any records of pesticide use available to the public.

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce measures to require growers and farmers to make any records of pesticide use available to the public via a third party.

Ross Finnie: There are currently no plans to make records of individual growers and farmers' pesticide use available to the public via a third party, however, this is an issue that we may explore as part of the revision of the Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Hol dings, (the Green Code ).

Agriculture

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a scheme whereby residents living next to farms can be notified in advance of pesticide use.

Ross Finnie: Advance notice of pesticide usage is a legal requirement when aerial spraying of crops takes place. The approval conditions for certain pesticides, notably sulphuric acid, contain detailed requirements for notification and the provision of notices. Extending the notification provision is an issue that we may explore as part of the revision of the Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Holdings , (the Green Code ).

Agriculture

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what input it will have into the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's study into the use of pesticides.

Ross Finnie: The scope of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's study on pesticides and bystander exposure which was announced on 16 June 2004 has still to be determined. It is my understanding that ministers in devolved areas will be invited to submit evidence.

Air Services

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who prepared the business case for the Snowflake SAS flights from Inverness to Stockholm; what the estimated load factor and passenger traffic was; what significance was placed on the nature of the plane to be used; what lessons have been learned, and what action will be taken as a result.

Nicol Stephen: The business case for investment in an air service between Inverness and Stockholm was prepared by aviation consultants, AviaSolutions, in conjunction with Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd and Snowflake. The analysis of demand indicated that there was potential for a limited frequency with a 72-seater aircraft service. The Executive's Route Development Fund (RDF) cannot prescribe the aircraft to be used in any service. It is up to the operator to ensure that the operational characteristics of any service match the assessed market.

  The Inverness to Stockholm route demonstrated the need for public sector investment to share some of the risks associated with the establishment of this air service. Once new routes commence with RDF support airports and airlines should work closely to understand how the routes are performing and whether any actions are necessary to improve performance. The Executive is always willing to support this process, to help ensure the long-term success of new routes.

Air Services

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in respect of the commitment in A Partnership for a Better Scotland to evaluate HITRANS' proposals for a Highlands and Islands air network; whether consultants have been appointed for this purpose and, if so, which consultants, what their remit is and when they have been asked to report.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive has evaluated the initial report and is continuing its constructive dialogue with the Highlands and Islands Strategic Transport Partnership (HITRANS) on the additional work, commissioned by HITRANS, which includes an economic appraisal. In addition, the Executive has commissioned AviaSolutions to assess and validate the operational and technical feasibility of the proposals on an on-going basis.

Air Services

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any information has been sought from carriers in respect of HITRANS' proposals for a Highlands and Islands air network and, if so, what information has been sought from carriers and, if not, when it intends to seek such information.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive has sought information from airlines. This information is aimed at assessing and validating the operational and technical feasibility of the proposals by the Highlands and Islands Strategic Transport Partnership (HITRANS) for an air network in the Highlands and Islands using Public Service Obligations.

Bridges

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it has had with the proposed closure of the Bailey bridge at Nairn harbour; whether any factual evidence as to the condition of the bridge has been made public and, if not, whether it will be, and what consultation there will be with the people of Nairn with regard to this proposal.

Nicol Stephen: The closure of the Bailey bridge at Nairn harbour is a matter for Highland Council as both the statutory harbour authority and the local roads authority. The Scottish Executive has no locus to intervene directly and it is the responsibility of the council to ensure that it complies with the appropriate legal procedures necessary to close the bridge.

Bridges

Mr Bruce McFee (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what requests Renfrewshire Council has made to it in relation to funding for the bridge at Main Street, Lochwinnoch, and what funding proposals have been made.

Nicol Stephen: Renfrewshire Council has written to ministers on a number of occasions seeking funding for works on several bridges in the area, and has met officials to discuss options for such works. However, the Executive has made it clear that funding of the maintenance and repair of local bridges is a matter for the council concerned.

Bridges

Mr Bruce McFee (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what practical options have been suggested to Renfrewshire Council in relation to works required on the bridge at Main Street, Lochwinnoch.

Nicol Stephen: At a meeting between officials in May 2002 Renfrewshire Council were asked to provide a business case outlining the importance of four bridges, including Lochwinnoch Bridge, in key locations in the area. There has been no detailed discussion of practical options since. The repair and maintenance of local bridges remains a matter for the council concerned.

Bridges

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which consultants are advising it in relation to the Skye Bridge PFI buy-out; whether it has set any date by which the consultants must report to it; whether negotiations with the Skye Bridge Company have commenced and when they expect them to be concluded; whether it will then complete the purchase of the owners' rights under the PFI, and whether it will hold a public inquiry into the issues raised and, if so, whether all documents will be made public giving the reasons for its position on this issue.

Nicol Stephen: The Executive has engaged Commerzbank AG to identify and analyse options to end the Skye Bridge tolls. In addition, JMP Consultants is providing technical advice and Scott Wilson Scotland is providing traffic analysis. We are taking all of this work forward as a priority, and have received a number of reports to date.

  Discussions with Skye Bridge Limited have begun. Our aim is to end the discredited toll regime by the end of the year.

  We have no current plans to hold a public inquiry or to make the relevant documents public. Decisions on such matters will be taken at a later date.

Business Tax

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive why business transport taxes are 27% lower in Scotland than in the UK as a whole, as shown in the Comparative Study of Business Tax Revenue of 7 October 2003.

Mr Andy Kerr: The Executive's report Comparative Study of Business Tax Revenue estimated that the revenue raised from business transport taxes in Scotland was equal to 1.1% of GDP in 2000 compared to 1.4% for the UK as a whole. These figures follow the definition of business transport taxes used by the Confederation of British Industry and includes vehicle excise duty and fuel excise duty paid by businesses.

  Vehicle duty and excise fuel duty rates are set at the UK level and these rates do not vary across the regions of the UK. Therefore, differences in total business transport tax revenues, relative to GDP, will in part reflect differences in usage patterns in terms of vehicles and fuel consumption across UK regions not differences in rates.

Bute House

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many events have been held at Bute House in each year since 1999; on what date each event was held; who attended each event; what the purpose was of each event, and what the total costs were of each event, broken down into (a) staff, (b) alcohol, (c) food, (d) travel and (e) entertainment costs.

Mr Andy Kerr: Many official and private events are held each year in Bute House. Information on these events is not held centrally.

Council Tax

Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it is expected to make an announcement on the levying of council tax on second homes.

Mr Andy Kerr: We expect to be able to make an announcement soon.

Credit Unions

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-8422 by Ms Margaret Curran on 4 June 2004, where the seven credit unions with head offices in rural areas are located.

Ms Margaret Curran: The seven credit unions with head offices in rural areas are:

  Strathbogie Credit Union, Linden Centre, Huntly, AB54 4SH.

  Alness Credit Union, Alness Library, Averon Centre, Alness, Ross-shire IV17 0QE.

  Fraserburgh Credit Union, c/o J.I.C. Building, Albert Street, Fraserburgh, AB43 9JL.

  Elgin Area Credit Union, Elgin Community Centre, Trinity Road, Elgin, IV30 1UE.

  Forres Area Credit Union, Forres House C.E.C., High Street Forres, IV36 1BU.

  Inverness Credit Union, 74 Telford Street, Inverness, IV3 5LS.

  Grampian Regional Employees Credit Union, Summerhill Education Centre, Stronsay Drive, Aberdeen, AB15 6JA.

Cremation

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive under what planning regulations local authorities are able to approve a planning application for a crematorium when the applicant does not have an approved waste management strategy.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: Section 37 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 sets out the provisions by which all planning applications must be determined. Under the provisions of this legislation, it is not necessary for other consents to be in place before planning permission can be granted. Any grant of planning permission does not remove the need to seek other statutory consents nor does it imply that such consents will be forthcoming.

  Crematoria are subject to the waste management regime set out in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and related legislation. The regulatory authority for this regime is the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Disclosure Scotland

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been introduced into the operating practices of Disclosure Scotland in the last three months to improve the time taken to secure clearance for teachers transferring employment between local authorities.

Cathy Jamieson: No measures specific to teachers have been introduced. We have, however, authorised the recruitment of additional staff in recent months to help clear a backlog of applications, and a new IT system has been introduced to automate a number of application handling processes.

  We also engaged independent consultants to review Disclosure Scotland processes and staffing. The consultants' recommendations, which included proposals for the appointment of a performance analyst and additional supervisory and quality assurance staff, are being implemented.

Equine Industry

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce fines for horse owners who do not have passports for their horses and at what level any such fines will be set.

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what safeguards it will introduce to prevent forgery of horse passports.

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much the horse passport scheme will cost.

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive in what languages horse passports will be published.

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what process will apply to the passports of horses slaughtered in Britain.

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether horse passports will contain a declaration about whether or not the horse is intended for human consumption and, if so, who will be required to make that declaration.

Ross Finnie: Under the proposed new regulations, owners who do not have passports for their horses shall be liable (a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum of £5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or both; or (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

  There will be no cost to the Scottish Executive for administration of the horse passport scheme. Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) will set their own fees for the issue of passports. It will also be the responsibility of the PIOs to introduce any safeguards they consider to be appropriate to prevent forgery of the passports they issue. All passports shall be in English and French, except that section IX which contains the declaration as to whether the animal is intended for human consumption may be in English only. This declaration will have to be made by the owner of the horse.

  All passports of horses slaughtered in Britain will be returned by the slaughterhouse to the PIO which issued the passport, within 30 days of slaughter.

Equine Industry

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to seek a derogation from the European Union in respect of horses and donkeys being exported for the horsemeat trade.

Ross Finnie: None. We are not aware of any horses and donkeys being exported from Scotland for the horsemeat trade.

Ferry Services

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of ferry users in Scotland use Caledonian MacBrayne for internal ferry services.

Nicol Stephen: For several years, the Scottish Executive has published statistics of the numbers of passengers for various ferry routes in Scottish Transport Statistics . The latest available figures appear in Tables 10.14 and 10.16 of the 2003 edition, which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 29044). They show that, in 2002, Caledonian MacBrayne services accounted for 64% of the total number of passengers on all the services for which figures were provided by Caledonian MacBrayne, P & O Scottish Ferries, NorthLink Orkney and Shetland Ferries, Orkney Ferries, Shetland Islands Council, Western Ferries, Argyll and Bute Council, Highland Council, Bruce Watt Cruises and Strathclyde Passenger Transport.

Flood Prevention

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive with reference to The State of the Nation 2004 - An assessment of the state of the UK's infrastructure by the Institution of Civil Engineers , what measures are being taken to ensure avoidance of development on flood plains and whether it considers such measures sufficient and, if not, what steps it is taking to remedy the situation.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: In February we published Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 7: Planning and Flooding . SPP 7 states that new development should not take place if it would be at significant risk of flooding, or if it would increase the probability of flooding elsewhere. This new policy should be implemented by local authorities in the first instance, as the planning authorities for their areas.

  We will publish a Planning Advice Note to supplement SPP 7 later this year.

Football

Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West) (Ind): To ask the Scottish Executive how much public funding has been awarded to the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park.

Mr Frank McAveety: The Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park is not funded by the Scottish Executive. The Scottish Football Museum Trust was awarded an European Regional Development Fund grant of £2,097,100 as a contribution towards the work in building and outfitting the Scottish Football Museum, part of the redevelopment work at Hampden Park. Other public sector co-funding came from the Millennium Fund, £2,847,000; Glasgow City Council, £108,500; and Glasgow Development Agency, £44,165.

Heritage

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the contribution that Scotland has made, and is making, to stained glass design and construction, what measures it is taking to ensure that design and craft skills are being taught in a manner, and to an extent, that will ensure the maintenance of the tradition of creating stained glass and that will allow surviving works to be adequately conserved for the enjoyment of the Scottish people and visitors to Scotland.

Mr Frank McAveety: The Scottish Executive sets the framework for Higher and Further Education and its funding. It is for institutions themselves to decide which courses to provide to fulfil perceived needs. However, a Sector Skills Council for the Creative and Cultural Industries, once established, should enable those needs to be better articulated.

  Historic Scotland has supported the development and training of conservators working in the stained glass field through its grants and conservation fellowship schemes. Historic Scotland helps maintain and improve standards of practice in this field by promoting its Conservation register.

Historic Scotland

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how long the Ecclesiastical Exemption Pilot Scheme for work to buildings in ecclesiastical use, set up by Historic Scotland, will continue.

Mr Frank McAveety: I have asked Graeme Munro, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland, to answer. His response is as follows:

  The Pilot Scheme to apply Listed Building Control for Exteriors of Churches in Ecclesiastical Use will end on 31 December 2004.

  Historic Scotland will be making a formal assessment of the scheme at the end of this year with a view to bringing forward proposals as to future arrangements.

Housing

Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any representations were made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer prior to the budget in connection with new fiscal measures to increase the amount of affordable housing in Scotland for first time buyers or the rented sector and, if so, what measures were suggested.

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer prior to his announcement of various measures on housing in the recent budget.

Ms Margaret Curran: Executive ministers and officials have regular discussions on a wide range of issues with colleagues in the UK government. The specific content of these discussions is confidential.

Housing

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what statistics it has with regard to the shortage of housing in the rental and owner-occupier sectors in rural areas, particularly for local people seeking to purchase or rent property in their area for the first time.

Ms Margaret Curran: The Scottish Executive housing statistics branch gathers information from councils on numbers of vacant council houses and lettings; and on numbers on and changes in local authority housing lists. Communities Scotland gathers information from housing associations on vacancies and lettings. Sources of the latest available published information are:

  Vacant council houses and lettings: Quarterly Statistical Bulletin HSG/2004/2, available at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00320-00.asp.

  Numbers on and changes in local authority housing lists: Quarterly Statistics Bulletin HSG/2003/4, available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00266-00.asp.

  The latest volume of Scottish Registered Social Landlord Statistics 2002-2003, published in April 2004 is available on the CS Website at:

  http://www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk/web/FILES/R&IStats200203.pdf.

  These sources do not distinguish people seeking to rent council or housing association property in their area for the first time. Information from local authorities relates to the council as a whole and does not provide separate information for rural areas within the council area. Similarly, information gathered from each housing association does not separately identify rural from other areas served by the association.

  The Executive does not have statistical information on numbers wishing to purchase or to rent privately.

  In preparing local housing strategies councils assess local housing markets to, among other things, identify actual or potential shortages with the aim of developing strategies to address these. The review of affordable housing currently being undertaken by the Executive includes an assessment of shortages based on the available information, which will inform policy proposals.

Housing

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5695 by Mrs Mary Mulligan on 29 January 2004, whether it has had the opportunity to consider the Scottish House Condition Survey 2002 topic report on fuel poverty.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: Yes. The Fuel Poverty Report based on the Scottish House Condition Survey 2002 demonstrates the impact that the Executive's policies have already had on reducing fuel poverty and will be used as an evidence base to inform future policies.

Housing

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the impact of regulations in respect of the development for housing of brown field sites is justified; whether the system in respect of such regulations should be simplified, and whether it has carried out any research into additional costs for housing development resulting from compliance with such regulations.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: There are no regulations relating to the development of new housing on brownfield land. However, it is well established policy to promote the re-use of previously developed land in preference to development on greenfield sites, where appropriate, to encourage a sustainable approach to new development and to meet social and environmental justice objectives. Scottish Planning Policy 3: Planning for Housing restates this policy in relation to the development of new housing, provided that a satisfactory residential environment can be created. Policy does not rule out the development of greenfield sites in specified circumstances.

  No specific research has been carried out in relation to the costs involved for housing on brownfield land, although we appreciate that there can be particular costs depending on the circumstances. Funding mechanisms are in place to encourage the rehabilitation of vacant and derelict land.

Housing

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet the Conditions Precedent contained in Glasgow Housing Association's (GHA) business plan whereby it will provide the GHA with a letter of comfort which seeks to provide assurances to GHA's financial backers about the potential implementation of a rent convergence policy similar to that introduced in England and Wales.

Ms Margaret Curran: The Glasgow Housing Association's (GHA) concerns about rent convergence were addressed at the time of the transfer.

Income

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average income levels have been in each local authority area in each of the last five years; whether there have been any real-term increases in such income levels and, if so, what the increases have been, expressed in percentage terms.

Ms Margaret Curran: Average income estimates are not currently available at local authority level.

  Research is currently underway to consider the methodological issues lying behind the main sources of income data for Scotland. Subject to quality assurance, this research may lead to future analysis of incomes, below the Scotland level. The research is due to report by the end of this month.

  The Office of National Statistics have produced model-based ward level average income estimates. These are the first results from a small area estimation project and there are concerns about the quality of the results for Scottish wards, in part due to differences in data availability for Scotland. As such the results, which relate to 1998-99, should be treated as experimental.

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/ASD/OCEA/00018968/page1122117372.aspx.

Non-Departmental Public Bodies

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which non-departmental public bodies since 1999 have (a) had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically-elected body, detailing the body in each case, (b) been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (c) remained unchanged.

Mr Andy Kerr: The information requested is not held centrally.

  Generic information on public bodies is contained on the Public Bodies and Appointments website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/government/publicbodies/.

  Prior to the website's establishment in 2002, detailed information on public bodies was published in the annual Cabinet Office document Public Bodies. Copies of this document are available from:

  http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/agencies-publicbodies/publicbodies/index.shtm.

  The 2001 report of the Review of Public Bodies, Public Bodies Proposals for Change contained detailed recommendations on the future status of a number of public bodies and identified candidates for abolition, reform and further review. A copy of the report is available at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/government/pbreview.pdf.

Planning

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any report it has received from the Head of Planning at West Lothian Council in respect of planning and the implications of a third party right of appeal.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: Our public consultation Rights of Appeal in Planning ends on 30 July 2004. We intend to make all non-confidential responses available to the public.

  A copy of all the responses to the consultation (except those where the individual or organisation has requested confidentiality) will be placed in the Scottish Executive library in Saughton House, Edinburgh, by 27 August 2004. They can be viewed by visiting the library. Copies can also be provided by post.

  We also intend to post a digest of responses received to the consultation, along with an analysis of those responses, on the consultation pages of the Executive's internet website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/ after the analysis has been completed.

Planning

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which schools in (a) South Ayrshire and (b) East Ayrshire have allowed the erection of telecommunication masts on their buildings and where each such school is located.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: This information is not held centrally. Local planning authorities are, however, required to keep a register of all planning applications determined within their area.

  Ofcom provide a sitefinder database on their website which can be used to locate masts at specific addresses or within particular areas. Information provided includes the name of operator, height of mast, frequency range, transmission type and power of mast. The address of this site is:

  http://www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk/ .

Police

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers entered training in (a) 1999-00, (b) 2000-01, (c) 2001-02, (d) 2002-03 and (e) 2003-04, broken down by gender and ethnic background.

Cathy Jamieson: The information available is shown in the following table below.

  

 

1999-2000

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03



White
 



Male

344

700

549

573



Female

140

332

212

267



Total

484

1,032

761

840



Minority Ethnic
 



Male 

7

14

9

9



Female

5

7

0

1



Total

12

21

9

10



Overall Total

496

1,053

770

850



  Source: Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary's Annual Statistical Return.

  Notes:

  (i) Figures for 2003-04 are not yet available.

  (ii) A detailed breakdown of the ethnic background of minority ethnic officers is not held centrally.

Prison Service

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to increase the number of places in the open prison estate.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  We intend to increase the number of places in the open prison estate as part of a wider reform programme designed to make better use of the prison estate as a whole and to help long term prisoners towards the end of their sentence reintegrate better into society.

  I refer the member to the answer given to the question S2W-8152 answered on 12 May 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Prisoner Escorts

Colin Fox (Lothians) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what apologies are due to Angela Kennedy on behalf of the Scottish Prison Service and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd after she was returned to prison for a week despite a court ordering her immediate release.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  A full investigation is undertaken into the circumstances surrounding each incident. If that investigation determines that a prisoner or former prisoner was detained in error by the SPS or on its behalf, the SPS will advise the person concerned of the facts. He or she may then wish to draw them to the attention of a legal adviser with a view to seeking compensation.

Public Relations

Frances Curran (West of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16571 by Angus MacKay on 23 July 2001, what the findings were of the report on public relations and marketing companies employed by Scottish public bodies for which the Executive had direct responsibility from 11 October 1999 to 31 March 2001; whether a copy of the report will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre; whether a similar report will be published covering the period from 1 April 2001 to 1 April 2004, and whether any such report will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Mr Andy Kerr: Insufficient information was received from the Scottish public bodies for the period 11 October 1999 to 31 March 2001 for a meaningful report to be published. However, the returns which were received showed that major contracts awarded to public relations and marketing companies had been subject to fair and open competition, and that the Scottish Executive procurement policy and best practice procedures were being followed.

  It would not be cost effective to undertake such an extensive trawl of Scottish public bodies on an annual basis, however the Executive propose to continue to monitor the situation on a periodic basis. Arrangements are being put in place by Human Resources Division and Scottish Procurement Directorate for a check to be carried out covering the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005. The mechanism for 2004-2005 will take into account the lessons learned from the 1999-2001 exercise, to ensure that sufficient information is gathered and a meaningful report published on this occasion. It is expected that the report will be available through the Parliament's Reference Centre in summer 2005.

Rail Network

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any increase in electrification of the rail network was sought, or will be obtained, as a result of the new franchise and, if not, whether there are any plans to ensure such an increase, in light of the increase in the price of diesel.

Nicol Stephen: The new franchise will deliver rail services. Infrastructure is procured by other means. The lead responsibility for rail infrastructure improvements – including electrification – lies with the Strategic Rail Authority and Network Rail.

Rail Network

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on when the Strategic Rail Authority will publish the route utilisation study for the east coast main line, why the tender process has begun prior to the publication of the study and whether an additional station at Musselburgh Parkway will be contained within the tender specifications.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Strategic Rail Authority on a wide range of issues including the east coast main line. The publication of an east coast main line route utilisation strategy is a matter for the Strategic Rail Authority as is the east coast main line passenger rail franchise reletting process. I understand that an Invitation to Tender has not yet been issued to bidders.

Renewable Energy

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-7685 by Nicol Stephen on 7 May 2004, what plans it has to publish its response to the Study Report published by the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute on biofuels.

Ross Finnie: The recommendations contained in the Study Report are still being considered.

Rural Development

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-8414 by Ross Finnie on 4 June 2004, where each of the 22 community groups awarded grants in the last two years for building upgrades are located.

Ross Finnie: The groups awarded grants for building upgrades are located across rural Scotland. The table indicates the location by local authority.

  


Shetland

2



Orkney

1



Western Isles

2



Highlands

2



Argyll and Bute

2



Stirling

3



Moray

2



Angus

2



Perth and Kinross

2



Fife

1



Midlothian

1



Dumfries and Galloway

1



Borders

1

Scottish Executive Finance

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what system it has for assessing whether each commitment in A Partnership for A Better Scotland will provide value for money; who is involved in the operation of such a system, and whether any non-civil servants are involved in the operation of the system and, if so, who.

Mr Andy Kerr: I have responsibility for monitoring delivery of A Partnership for a Better Scotland  on Cabinet's behalf and regularly meet individual portfolio ministers to discuss delivery issues. I am committed to ensuring that the Scottish Executive's expenditure delivers the best possible value to the people of Scotland.

  In order to support this objective, the Executive has introduced a new system under which significant new spending proposals are reviewed through "Pre-Expenditure Assessments". Pre-Expenditure Assessments provide an assessment of expected impacts and value for money, and cover:

  the aims and objectives of the proposal;

  the options for addressing these objectives;

  the evidence base on the likely impacts and value for money of the proposal, including cost-benefit analyses where appropriate;

  the financial impact of the proposal, management and procurement arrangements, and

  the plans for monitoring and evaluation.

  This procedure is currently being extended to cover day-to-day spending decisions, and complements existing good practice in project appraisal.

Social Work

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many social workers entered training in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01, (c) 2001-02, (d) 2002-03 and (e) 2003-04, broken down by gender and ethnic background.

Euan Robson: This information is not held centrally.

Sport

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the implementation of target 2 of National Strategy for Sport in Scotland, Sport 21 2003-07.

Peter Peacock: Target 2 of Sport 21 commits the Scottish Executive Education Department to make progress towards all schoolchildren taking part in at least two hours of high quality physical education classes a week by 2007.

  In my response to the Physical Education Review Group's report, I set out my three key aims for physical education: to provide more time, more teachers and more choice. I will issue guidance to local authorities on physical education within the context of our National Priorities planning and reporting under the 2000 Act to help monitor progress in meeting these three key aims. The report and my covering letter have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. numbers 33135 and 33136 respectively)

  With Target 2 in mind, a National Priority performance measure has already been distributed to schools, asking them to report on activities and opportunities which encourage young people to be physically active for at least one hour per day. This measure asks schools to link this reporting to local strategies in place for progressing the Sport 21 Strategy and the Physical Activity Strategy.